HOT on the heels of the success of Pop Idol, two record producers have discovered their very own Zoe Birkett, whose voice is being heard in bars and clubs across the North-East.

Dance records featuring 17-year-old Laura Thompson, from Sunnybrow, near Crook, County Durham, are being played by DJs throughout the region.

The dance tracks, which have been recorded in a small studio at Bishop Auckland College, could propel Laura and the production team of David Hopkins and Paul Thompson to stardom.

The studio was formed at the college 18 months ago by the Hopkins and Thompson partnership, under the name of Ringo Levio.

As well as the studio being a learning facility for the college, it is a base for Ringo Levio's record label, Mutation Boogie.

Laura's vocal talents also stretch to rhythm and blues tracks recorded under the name of Ringo Levio.

Mr Thompson said: "We are always releasing stuff. The latest dance stuff is being played in bars and clubs from Newcastle to Darlington and we still have a lot of people to see."

David Hopkins said the trio's blues music is also receiving quite a bit of attention, with interest shown from Galaxy Radio.

Laura joined the team after someone heard her singing at the college and introduced her to David Hopkins.

He said: "When we heard her we knew she was the girl for us. We had worked with other singers but this is someone we can develop with. She has a great voice.''

Laura, who studies health and social care at the college, said: "This is something I have always wanted to do."